This is one of those things that I think a lot of people take for granted, but to many it’s just so much magic.
So, a quick look at what it means when you choose between “Run” and “Save” when downloading a file.
Downloads
A download is nothing more than transferring a file from “up there” – typically a server on the internet – to your computer “down here”.
The file being downloaded can be anything. It could be a program that you’ve elected to get for your computer, it could be a picture that was attached to an email you’re viewing on line, or it could be a PDF document that you just purchased at a popular online source of computer books.
It could be anything.
The difference between Run and Save is two-fold:
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Let’s look at each in turn.
Run
When you select Run on a download, it begins a two-step process:
- The file you’ve requested is downloaded to your machine and placed in a temporary location.
- The file is then run exactly as if you had used Windows Explorer to navigate to the temporary location and double-clicked the file.
The temporary location is either your browser’s cache or temporary folder, or one of your Windows temporary folders. Which it is, actually doesn’t matter, simply because it’s temporary. The file isn’t meant to be something you’d actually try to access directly. In fact, it really only needs to be preserved long enough for the “Run” that happens next, and could be deleted at any time thereafter.
What it means to “run” a file can mean several things.
- If the file is a “.exe” file, that’s a program, and running it means exactly that: the program is loaded into memory and Windows runs it.
- If the file is a “.pdf” file, that’s a document, and running it means that the PDF viewer installed on your machine is run, and told to open the document for you to view.
- If the file is a “.jpg” file, that’s a picture, and running it means that the image viewer configured on your computer is run and told to open the picture for you to view.
- And so on…
Hopefully, you get the idea. Run means either run the downloaded program, or run the program that knows how to deal with the type of file you just downloaded.
One important thing to reiterate about using Run: the file was downloaded into a temporary location, and it may eventually be deleted. In fact, it almost certainly will, if you wait long enough.
That’s why Save exists.
Save
When you select Save (sometimes only offered as Save As…) in response to a download, the browser simply downloads the file.
That’s it.
The file is copied to your computer, and it’s then up to you to do something with it.
The big difference is that it’s not downloaded into a temporary location. The file is downloaded into either:
- A default folder, such as “My Documents” or “Downloads” (often the default when you select Save).
- A folder that you specify in response to a “Save As…” dialog (the action when you specify Save As…).
The file is placed into a folder that you specify or know how to access, and will not be automatically deleted.
Like I said, you have to decide what to do with it and when.
It could be as simple as leaving it where it is, and using Windows Explorer to locate and then double click on the file whenever you want to use it in the future. Or you could move it to a different location to backup and archive it. Or you could do something else entirely.
Save and run
Internet Explorer, at least, has a third option: Save and run.
This combines what we’ve seen so far:
- The file is saved to a known, not temporary, location.
- The file is then run.
Which to choose?
When might you use one or the other?
- Run: Choose Run when you only need the download once. Perhaps it’s a song or video you only plan to listen to or watch once. Another scenario might be an installation program that, when run, installs software on your machine in other, permanent locations. Once installed, you probably don’t need the installer again.
- Save: When you want to keep whatever it is you’ve downloaded, choose Save. You can still run it, or whatever else you’d like to do with it, but you’ll need to do that yourself. You’ll also want to decide where, on your computer, to keep the file.
- Save and run: Use this option when you want to do both: save the file to a location you control, and then immediately run it.
Podcast: Download (Duration: 5:25 — 5.0MB)
Anita
i don’t know what happened, but my comment was cut off. Anyway now I can “run” it now or “save” it for later.
George Arauz
Run lets you play or use the data you want at the moment off the disc or website you are on. Save keeps it on your hard drive so you can use it anytime you want without a disc or going to the website.
Bill
Another great value of SAVE is when you are downloading something you want to move and run on another machine.
Scott
I NEVER, use the Run. I use the “Save As” so that I can scan the file for viruses.
Run is just to damn risky in my opinion.
glorya
I agree 100% with Scott. By using “Save” you can scan for viruses before opening the file. If you just use “Run” who knows what you have downloaded besides the file. I am sooooo very surprised that “Ask Leo” didn’t bring this up in his answer.
iani
My computer behaves (now) at “Save” almost like at “Run”. I mean… It looks like it downloads the file somewhere (I don’t know where), then, after a (long) time, the “Save to” dialog box appears and the saving takes only 1 second (regardless the file width).
See screen caps at http://www.geocities.com/iani2004/trouble/
What’s going on?
Dominick
I like to save them. This way I have a copy if the need arises that it needs to be re-installed at some time.
http://www.domdedomdom.com
Karol
I was ttrying to help a friend reinstall a program that had been installed by our IT Department. In anticipation of his question (do I select run or save?), I submittted the question to Goggle. I tried a few sites. Your site was, without doubt, the most targeted and helpful response. Thank you so much!
duane moen
I downloaded a long file to run and for some reason I was disconnected from the web. I found the file and saved it but then didn’t know what to open the file with. Nothing worked. So I gave up and deleted the saved file and went to redownload. Apparently the run file was still there and the install proceeded without another long download. I don’t know what was used to open the run file but I am glad it worked.
benz
as scott and especially glorya im very surprised that leo didnt mention the better security of SAVE. There are things to discuss here, like how much safe is SAVE itself?
Diane
Thank you, Leo and thank you all for this great input. I knew what “Run” does (sort of) and I knew what “Save” does, I just wasn’t sure when to Run or Save. Your opinions and reasons work for me! Luv this website, I’ll be back
Edwin
I purchased a microsoft office package and I am not sure if I should click on save or run. Since this is a very expensive purchase I realli need to be sure. In case I don’t get any response I will just clik on run because that is how i did it with my messenger and it works fine. I need help!!
frank rogowski
I’VE SAVED FILES FROM MININOVA AND WINDOWS MEDIA DOES THE USUAL REJECTION.I’M ACHING TO BURN TO CD WITH SOME OF THE ALBUMS THEY HAVE LISTED!
Oralia
I need to download a driver from dell website for another computer, but when I download it I don’t get the option to run or save. I need to save it. It gets downloaded and allows me to intall/don’t install, but I don’t need it for this computer. How do I fix this?
02-Apr-2010
Paul Gadebusch, III
I generally will “save” the file. I put it in a specific location if I want to keep the file but I will save to my desktop even when I just want to run it – in case something happens and I have to restart the loading. Then it is is to find and available to just run from my desktop without a new download. Once it has successfully installed I delete it from my desktop. The larger the download the more helpful this can be. The last step of deleting the installation files helps generally to keep a cleaner desktop.
Brad Johnston (Australia)
Hi Leo, great article. I was taught that anything you download directly from the web bypass’s your anti-virus. By default I will only save a download to the desktop, right click on it and run a scan for virus’s before either saving it to a folder or running it. Is this being over protective?
Paul
I save files to my desktop instead of run most of the time. Then I check it with Spysweeper before I open it up. Just to be on the safe side.
Jo
So..if I’m downloading transcription software, I should save it, correct?
08-Nov-2010
claude
just want to thank you for being direct and to commend you for your clarity
mael
what if i save and at the same time i run the file?
01-Apr-2011
Akanda Md. rajibul haque
Hi. I have download webcall direct software from internet and save it. But when i am trying to run it I am failing. It is not running. so what may be the problem?
28-Jun-2011
Paul
Thank you for an excellent response: concise and perfectly clear.
anna blackburn
I have been trying all day to get my answer in terms I could understand. You gave me my answer very quickly. I had no problem understanding. Thank You! I know who to contact for now on.
MEg
Yours is the best explanation of the several I read. Thank you.